May 21, 2012

We have a new roof? That's cool that dad's workers came and did it. Did we get a discount? Did you tell them you had a daughter on a mission and son who's preparing? Its a good conversation starter. Try it sometime. So how are the newlyweds? I don't have Claire's address so i can't write her, and she hasn't written me for a while. You need to get on her case for me. :) This last week was transfers. I went and picked up my new companions sister Randall on Wednesday. She's from Orem, Utah. We get along very well so I'm happy about that. After transfers Amber Larsen (who drove us) took us out to lunch down on historic main street and we had toasted ravioli. It was really good. It’s a St. Louis special. The lord has blessed us so much this week. We've received so many referrals. Things are going so well with the people we’re teaching. The Lord is truly blessing us. Saturday was our mission bike day. We rode our bikes all over. It was so hot, but i loved it. Riding bikes opens new opportunities to meet and talk with people. And in preparation for Saturday we rode our bikes all day Friday as well. I had a blast. I felt a little bad for Sister Randall, but she seemed to enjoy it as well. We are in the process of finding her a more permanent bike so we can bike more. The bike she used was our landlord's and doesn't have gears. Saturday we had lunch at Christina's house (most progressing investigator). I felt bad when she first offered to feed us because she is on food stamps, but she insisted. We had an amazing time at her house. I’ve never seen her that happy. The Spirit is working with her and we're not the only ones to notice it. There are members in the ward that have mentioned a change in her countenance as well. She came to church on Sunday and surprised me when she told me that she was fasting. Her testimony has grown so much, and i feel so privileged to be a part of it. i love you all, i know that this church is true. I know that when we are obedient we do receive blessings, but its when we are exactly obedient that we experience miracles! sister salmon

May 14, 2012

Sister Larson and her husband are an awesome couple. Sister Larson is 25, turning 26 this june. So ya she's pretty young. She helps us out a lot with team ups, and she's our go to person when we don't have meals. She made me promise to call her and come over for dinners when we don't have a meal. I felt weird doing that at first but then she shared a personal story about why she insists on having us over. I told you most of what is going on. There isn’t anything new to tell. We did exchanges this last week in Warrenton. They were cut short though because i had to be at the new trainers meeting Friday morning. Transfers are this week on Wednesday. There is one sister coming in this next transfer and i have been called to train the new sister. I am really nervous, excited and a little overwhelmed by the calling. We have a lot of appointments this week already set up so she's kind of being thrown into mission life. Hope she enjoys the ride. There is new protocol when it comes to training. The trainer stays with the trainee for two transfers, so by the time i finish training i'll have been in St. Charles for 6 months. I'm actually excited to stay here because we just picked up another less active family and they are awesome! I can't wait to start teaching them. Love you momma! sister salmon

May 7, 2012

I'm glad you received my letter okay. I have another one coming for mother’s day with some more pictures so you can update my blog and get a sneak peak. I haven't changed much; at least i don't think so. You'll have to let me know. This last week was amazing.... Mostly the weekend was amazing,. We were super busy with appointments. Meeting with LA families that we haven't been able to get in contact with, meeting with Christina and also having fun finding (aka tracting. But i don't like the word tracting so i use finding. Its more positive). We found some catholic nuns. That was a first. We also found a couple potentials that I'm eager to visit this week. Sunday was the highlight of the week for me. Alyssa (member, coming back to church) and Kenny (husband, NM) blessed they're baby on Sunday. Alyssa's grandfather did the blessing and pronounced a beautiful blessing. Later Alyssa went up and bore her testimony. That was the best thing i have ever experienced. Never mind everything else that happens on a mission, that moment and all the other moments like it make a mission worth it. The Gates Family also attended church on Sunday. They're a family we've only started working with in the last week. They're all members except William who's 7 and the father. I have yet to meet the dad, he's pretty good at dodging us. But sister Gates told us to call her because she wants us to come over this week so maybe this will lead to opportunities to meet and talk with him. love you and see you in a week. sister salmon